5 Exterior Points To Inspect When Buying A Used Car

When buying a used car, you expect wear and tear. And one of the things that show signs of wear and tear early on is the car’s exterior. As long as you know what to look for, you can accurately gauge the condition of the car. So, here’s a list of 5 exterior points to look out for when buying a used car. 

Paint chips

This is one of the simpler exterior points to look out for. Examine the exterior of the car carefully and note if there are any chips in the paint. This could indicate that the car has experienced more wear and tear. Therefore, a higher likelihood of problems arising down the road. 

Different paint jobs

Other than make your car look good, paint also serves another function. The metal of your car can wear and tear as it encounters dust and dirt while driving, so paint serves as an extra layer of protection. This layer of protection helps prevent your vehicle from any damage that the road may cause. 

A mismatched paint job can indicate a serious accident to the car, where the newer repainted section does not match the older, original paint.

Scuffs on rims

Take a good look at the wheels of the car and see if it’s retained any damage. While scuffs on rims isn’t a huge issue, it may be an indicator of how carefully the current owner drove the car.

Therefore, it’s important to take note of how bad the damage is, although ideally, there won’t be any. 

Misaligned bumpers

This is one you’ll want to pay extra close attention to. Inspect the bumper of the car thoroughly and take a look if it’s misaligned, scratched, etc.. Misaligned bumpers may mean that the car has been in an accident, which can mean you’ll encounter more issues with your car further down the road. 

In addition to this, the bumper of your car is especially important as it allows the car to sustain low speed impacts with little damage to the vehicle. Ensuring that it’s in good condition is your responsibility as a driver.

Frame damage 

It’s pretty easy to spot frame damage. Frame damage includes any damage to any component of the vehicle that is part of the main structure, so it’s pretty obvious if there’s any damage to the frame of the car. 

Any damage to the frame means that the structure’s integrity has likely been compromised, so make sure you understand the full extent of the damage to get a better idea of the condition of the car and any repairs it might need. 

When buying a used car, sellers aren’t always up front about what damage the car has sustained, so it’s important to stay informed and make sure you aren’t getting duped. Being aware of how exterior points can influence the condition of the car, you can avoid this. 

However, there is an easier way to buy used cars. With Carro, we offer a 360 degree view of both the exterior and interior of the car so that you can accurately judge the condition of the car. It’s completely transparent for your benefit! 

Furthermore, our 150-point inspection check guarantees quality and our included-in-the-price 6-month gearbox and engine warranty allows you to buy your car worry-free. 

Browse our selection of cars here!